Quick-mounting hardware

ABSTRACT

Snap-on hardware mounted on a structural component having a pair of spaced ridges extending intermediate and transverse to a pair of lips, the hardware comprising a strap for occupying the space between the ridges and an L-shaped finger at one end of the strap for extending behind one of the lips. A flexible cantilevered arm extends from the other end of the strap in the same direction as the finger and includes a catch at the free end thereof for snapping over the other lip to secure the hardware in place. A functional portion extends from the strap or the finger.

United State sjPatent [72] Inventors John Andreini Irvington, N.J.; Edwin Harley Borchard, Boulder; Karl- Heinz Pohl, Boulder, Colo.; Joseph Anthony Puccio, East Brunswick, NJ. [21 Appl. No. 167,904 [22] Filed Aug. 28, 1970 [45] Patented Oct. 12, 1971 [73] Assignee Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated Murray Hill, NJ.

[54] QUICK-MOUNTING HARDWARE 1 1 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 292/76, 16/128 R, 70/451, 292/DIG. 38, 292/DlG. 53 [51] Int. Cl E05c 19/02 [50] Field ofSearch 292/17, 19,

76, 87, 91, DIG. 38, DIG. 53; 70/69, 70, 451; 248/27, 314; 241208 A, 217, 230 CF, 230 NP, 230 SL,201 S; 16/167, 128 R, D16. 13, DIG. l9,DlG.

24, DIG. 25, DIG. 40, DIG. 41; 339/91 R, 128, 198

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 259,176 6/1882 Landis 16/167 2,040,191 5/1936 Wanders 217/57 3,120,971 2/ 1964 Bengtsson 292/91 3,132,400 5/1964 McDonald 24/259 FOREIGN PATENTS 681,076 2/1964 Canada 339/198 Primary ExaminerRobert L. Wolfe Attorneys-R. J. Guenther and Edwin B. Cave ABSTRACT: Snap-on hardware mounted on a structural component having a pair of spaced ridges extending intermediate and transverse to a pair of lips, the hardware comprising a strap for occupying the space between the ridges and an L- shaped finger at one end of the strap for extending behind one of the lips. A flexible cantilevered arm extends from the other end of the strap in the same direction as the finger and includes a catch at the free end thereof for snapping over the other lip to secure the hardware in place. A functional portion extends from the strap or the finger.

PATMEOM 1m SHEET 10F 2 FIG.

J. ANDRE/NI E. H. EURO/MRO INVENTO/PS PM J. .4. PUCG/O AT TORNE) PATENT'EUucI 121911 3, 12,590

sum 2 OF 2 I it FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to hardware and, within that field, to components adapted to be mounted on a structural element without the use of fasteners.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION With the cost of labor becoming an ever-increasing factor in the cost of manufacturing cabinet-type structures, it has become increasingly desirable to reduce the amount of time necessary toassemble the many elements that comprise such structures. One area that has not received much attention heretofore is the hardware that is used in each cabinet. This hardware is at present mounted by the use of fasteners which require the threading of a screw into a tapped hole or the threading of a nut onto a bolt. Since each piece of hardware requires at least two fasteners, and since each cabinet structure includes several hinges and at least one latch, the time required to fasten the hardware in place is significant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Hardware is herein disclosed that is snapped into place and does not require the use of any fasteners, thereby effecting a substantial reduction in the time required to secure the hard ware in place. The hardware of this invention is mounted on a structural component having a pair of spaced ridges extending intermediate and transverse to a pair of lips. The hardware itself comprises a unitary member that includes a strap for occupying the space between the ridges and an L-shaped finger at one end of the strap for extending behind one of the lips. A flexible cantilevered arm extends from the other end of the strap in the same direction as the finger and includes a catch at the free end thereof for snapping over the other lip to secure the hardware in place. A functional portion, which may be a guide or latch for a door or a pintle for a hinge, extends from the strap.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a perspective view of a guide embodiment of the hardware of this invention spaced from the structural component on which it is mounted;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a pair of the guides mounted on the associated structural components and interacting with a door frame to guide the door into its closed position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a latch embodiment of the hardware of this invention mounted on the associated structural component and spaced from the door with which it interacts; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a hinge pintle embodiment of the hardware of this invention mounted on the associated structural component and spaced from the hinge barrel with which it cooperates.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIG. I, all three embodiments of the hardware of this invention comprise a unitary member including a strap consisting of legs 12, 14, and '16. The legs 12 and 16 extend generally parallel to one another, while the leg 14 extends therebetween approximately perpendicular to the both of them.

A flexible cantilevered arm 18 extends from the end of the leg 12 alongside of and generally parallel to the leg 14. The free end of the arm 18 extends beyond the leg 16 and includes a catch 20 consisting of a cam surface 22 inclined to the general plane of the arm and a detent surface 24 orthogonal to the general plane of the arm. In addition, an L-shaped finger 26 extends from the leg 16, the finger including a joint 27 that extends in the same direction as the arm 18 and a joint 28 that extends toward the arm generally parallel to the leg 16.

These common elements of each of the hardware embodiments interact with a structural component 30 that has a pair of parallel ridges 32 and 34 that extend intermediate and generally perpendicular to a pair of spaced lips 36 and 38. The surface of the lip 36 that is on the same side of the structural component 30 as the ridges 32 and 34 is advantageously rounded, while the opposite surface is flat. The opposed surfaces of the lip 38, on the other hand, are both essentially flat.

While the structural component 30 shown in FIG. 1 is L- shaped in cross section, whereby the lips 36 and 38 are of different widths, the structural component may have other crosssectional shapes, such as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, wherein the lips 36 and 38 may or may not have the same width. However, regardless of the cross-sectional shape, the common elements of the hardware bear a particular relationship to the structural component 30.

The thickness of the leg 16 of the strap 10 is generally not more than twice the distance that the ridges 32 and 34 project from the surface therebetween, and the width of the leg 16 is essentially the same as the distance between the facing surfaces of the ridges. In addition, the detent surface 24 of the catch 20 is spaced from the facing surface of the leg 16 a distance that is substantially the same as the distance between the flat surface of the lip 36 and the surface between the ridges 32 and 34, while the distance between the facing surfaces of the leg 16 and the joint 28 of the finger 26 is substantially the same as the distance between the opposed surfaces of the lip 38. Finally, the distance between the facing surfaces of the arm 18 and the joint 27 of the finger 26 is substantially the same as the distance between the opposed end surfaces of the lips 36 and 38.

With these relationships, the hardware is mounted on the structural component 30 by first placing the hardware so that the end of the joint28 of the finger 26 extends behind the lip 38, the leg 16 of the strap 10 is aligned with the space between the ridges 32 and 34, and the cam surface 22 of the catch 20 is adjacent to the rounded surface of the lip 36. The hardware is then rotated to press the cam surface 22 against the rounded surface of the lip 36, resulting in the deflection of the arm 18 away from the leg 14 of the strap. As the rotation continues, the catch 20 rides over the end surface of the lip 36 and then when the cam surface 22 of the catch moves past the flat surface of the lip, the arm 18 snaps back to its undeflected position wherein the detent surface 24 engages the flat surface. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the leg 16 of the strap 10 is captured between the ridges 32 and 34 and the finger 26 embraces the lip 38 to support the hardware, while the arm 18 and catch 20 grip the lip 36 to secure the hardware in place.

The functional portion of each hardware embodiment extends from the strap 10 and/or the finger 26. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the hardware comprises a guide and the functional portion consists of a flexible cantilevered arm 40 that has a first portion 42 extending acutely from the end of the leg 16 of the strap 10 toward the leg 14 and a second portion 44 extending toward but being spaced from the leg 16. As seen in FIG. 2, a pair of guides are mounted in an opposed relationship to one another, and the arms 40 interact with a door frame 45 to guide the door frame into its closed position. The door frame 45, which is hinged along an axis extending parallel to a web portion 46 includes inclined portions 48 that compliment the arm portions 42. If the door frame 45 is askew as it is closed, one of the inclined portions 48 will deflect the arm 40 of the associated guide, the deflection being limited by the engagement of the arm portion 44 with the leg 16. The deflected arm 40 will, in turn, act on the associated inclined portion 48 to center the door frame 45 so that the arms 40 of both guides are deflected substantially the same.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the hardware comprises a latch wherein the functional portion consists of a flexi ble cantilevered arm 50 extending from the leg 14 of the strap 10 generally parallel to the leg 16. The arm 50 includes a nose portion 52 at the free end thereof that interacts with a door 55 having a cavity 56 in the facing surface thereof. As the door is closed, an edge 58 of the cavity 56 engages the bridge of the nose portion 52 and deflects the arm 50 toward the leg 16 of the strap 10. Then as the face of the door 55 engages the finger 26, the edge 58 moves past the tip of the nose portion 52 ad the arm 50 returns to its undeflected position to move the tip of the nose portion 52 behind the edge 58 and secure the door in its closed position.

Finally, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the hardware comprises a hinge pintle and the functional portion consists of a tapered cylinder 60 extending from the end of the finger 26 and the leg 16 of the strap perpendicular to the plane thereof. The cylinder 60 is slotted longitudinally to provide bifurcations 62 that have protruding lips 64 at the upper end thereof, and the upper surface of each lip is curved while the under surface is flat. The cylinder 60 is positioned within a hinge barrel 66 of a hinged member 68 by pressing the barrel down against the curved upper surfaces of the lips 64. This deflects the lips 64 and thereby the bifurcations 62 towarcf one another, permitting the lips and the bifurcations to move into the barrel 66. When the barrel 66 is moved past the lips 64, the bifurcations 62 return to their undeflected positions and the lips secure the barrel on the cylinder 60.

The hardware of the invention is advantageously molded from a thennoplastic material, the desired flexibility being obtained through a combination of structural design and the use of a material having the necessary flexural modulus.

Although three embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is understood that these are but illustrative and that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention, as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Quick-mounting hardware for attachment to a structural component having a pair of spaced ridges extending intermediate and transverse to a pair of spaced lips, the hardware comprising:

a support portion including a strap, a first element of which is of a width to occupy the space between the pair of ridges, and an L-shaped finger extending from one end of the strap, the finger extending behind one of the lips when the strap is positioned between the ridges;

a flexible cantilevered securing portion extending from the other end of the strap in the same direction as the L- shaped finger, the free end of the securing portion including means for gripping the other lip when the strap is positioned between the ridges; and

a functional portion extending from the support portion.

2. Quick-mounting hardware as in claim 1 wherein the thickness of the first element of the strap is no more than twice the distance that the ridges extend from the surface between the ridges.

3. Quick-mounting hardware as in claim 1 wherein the support portion, securing portion, and functional portion are integral with one another.

4. Quick-mounting hardware as in claim 1 wherein the securing portion comprises an arm having a catch at the free end thereof, the catch including a cam surface inclined to the arm and intersecting a detent surface orthogonal to the arm, the cam surface engaging the associated lip surface on the same side as the ridges when the hardware is being mounted on the structural component and the detent surface engaging the associated lip surface opposite to the ridges when the mounting is completed.

5. Quick-mounting hardware as in claim 4 wherein the detent surface is spaced from the facing surface of the first element of the strap a distance that is substantially the same as the distance between the opposed surfaces of the lip associated with the securing portion.

6. Quick-mounting hardware as in claim 4 wherein the L- shaped finger includes a first joint extending generally perpendicular to the first element of the strap and a second joint extending generally parallel to the first element, and the distance between facing surfaces of the first element and the second joint is substantially the same as the distance between the opposed surfaces of the lip associated with the finger.

7. Quick-mounting hardware as in claim 6 wherein the catch and the second joint of the finger extend toward one another.

8. Quick-mounting hardware as in claim 7 wherein the distance between the facing surfaces of the arm of the securing portion and the first joint of the finger is substantially the same as the distance between the opposed end surfaces of the lips.

9. Quick-mounting hardware as in claim 1 wherein the functional portion comprises a cantilevered flexible arm extending from the first element of the strap in the opposite direction from the finger, the arm having a first portion extending acutely away from the first element and a second portion extending toward but being spaced from the first element.

10. Quick-mounting hardware as in claim 1 wherein the functional portion comprises a flexible cantilevered arm having a nose portion at the free end thereof.

11. Quick-mounting hardware as in claim 1 wherein the functional portion comprises a cylinder that is slotted longitudinally to provide bifurcations, the bifurcations having protruding lips at the free end thereof. 

1. Quick-mounting hardware for attachment to a structural component having a pair of spaced ridges extending intermediate and transverse to a pair of spaced lips, the hardware comprising: a support portion including a strap, a first element of which is of a width to occupy the space between the pair of ridges, and an L-shaped finger extending from one end of the strap, the finger extending behind one of the lips when the strap is positioned between the ridges; a flexible cantilevered securing portion extending from the other end of the strap in the same direction as the L-shaped finger, the free end of the securing portion including means for gripping the other lip when the strap is positioned between the ridges; and a funcTional portion extending from the support portion.
 2. Quick-mounting hardware as in claim 1 wherein the thickness of the first element of the strap is no more than twice the distance that the ridges extend from the surface between the ridges.
 3. Quick-mounting hardware as in claim 1 wherein the support portion, securing portion, and functional portion are integral with one another.
 4. Quick-mounting hardware as in claim 1 wherein the securing portion comprises an arm having a catch at the free end thereof, the catch including a cam surface inclined to the arm and intersecting a detent surface orthogonal to the arm, the cam surface engaging the associated lip surface on the same side as the ridges when the hardware is being mounted on the structural component and the detent surface engaging the associated lip surface opposite to the ridges when the mounting is completed.
 5. Quick-mounting hardware as in claim 4 wherein the detent surface is spaced from the facing surface of the first element of the strap a distance that is substantially the same as the distance between the opposed surfaces of the lip associated with the securing portion.
 6. Quick-mounting hardware as in claim 4 wherein the L-shaped finger includes a first joint extending generally perpendicular to the first element of the strap and a second joint extending generally parallel to the first element, and the distance between facing surfaces of the first element and the second joint is substantially the same as the distance between the opposed surfaces of the lip associated with the finger.
 7. Quick-mounting hardware as in claim 6 wherein the catch and the second joint of the finger extend toward one another.
 8. Quick-mounting hardware as in claim 7 wherein the distance between the facing surfaces of the arm of the securing portion and the first joint of the finger is substantially the same as the distance between the opposed end surfaces of the lips.
 9. Quick-mounting hardware as in claim 1 wherein the functional portion comprises a cantilevered flexible arm extending from the first element of the strap in the opposite direction from the finger, the arm having a first portion extending acutely away from the first element and a second portion extending toward but being spaced from the first element.
 10. Quick-mounting hardware as in claim 1 wherein the functional portion comprises a flexible cantilevered arm having a nose portion at the free end thereof.
 11. Quick-mounting hardware as in claim 1 wherein the functional portion comprises a cylinder that is slotted longitudinally to provide bifurcations, the bifurcations having protruding lips at the free end thereof. 